These FAQ’s are intended to help you answer some common questions related to your health, safety, general well being, campus involvement, and off-campus living. In many cases, the answers to the questions will point you in the direction of campus resources that are in place to support you in your studies. Please select a category of FAQs from the options below.
How do I find an off-campus apartment?
The
Housing Registry is a service that is provided free of charge to students who are interested in off-campus living in the local community. Please note that this service only contains information about landlords and rental agents who desire to advertise their units or rooms to college students. Additional information about area rentals can be found in the Albany city newspaper, The Times Union, or through real estate agents in the Capital Region area.
Do I have any rights in my off-campus apartment?
For information on this topic, call United Tenants, Inc. at (518) 436-8997.
What do I do if I need someone to walk me to my car from the library at night?
Call the Don’t Walk Alone Safety Escort Service at (518) 442-5511 to find out when the service is in operation, as well as to request a safety escort anywhere on the uptown campus during operational hours. Call the University Police Department at (518) 442-3131 and request a personal safety escort if Don’t Walk Alone is not in service.
How do I know if there is a snow emergency in the City of Albany?
Call (518) 476-SNOW. You can also call (518) 442-SNOW to find out about weather related closings of the University. The University will also try its best to notify you in these circumstances. An email will be sent to your UAlbany address and information regarding a snow emergency is typically posted on the bulletin boards on Alumni Quad. Snow emergencies in the city mandate that you move your car on an odd/even parking schedule in order for the streets to be plowed effectively.
If I have a dispute with my landlord, can anyone at the University help me?
You can contact Student Legal Services (SLS) of Student Association at (518) 442-5654 (unless the landlord is a current UAlbany student, you must also be an undergraduate student to use SLS) or Thomas Gebhardt, Director of Personal Safety & Off-Campus Affairs of the University Police Department at (518) 442-3130. In addition, United Tenants, Inc. (518-436-8997) is an off-campus agency that can be of help to you.
What do I do if I live off campus and I become a victim of a crime?
Report it to the police agency which has jurisdiction for the city, village or town in which the crime took place. The number for Albany City Police is (518) 458-5660. If you are unsure as to which police agency has jurisdiction, call the University Police Department at (518) 442-3131.
Should I let someone at the University know if I am a victim of a crime?
If you are a victim of a crime off-campus the University can assist you with resources. Call the Victim’s Liaison at (518) 442-3130.
What do I do if I am too drunk to drive home?
DO NOT DRIVE! A sober friend that you trust, taxi cabs and public transportation are all much safer options. You may also want to consider finding a safe place to stay nearby that doesn't require you to drive. Doing so risks death or serious injury to you and other people. Remember, too, that underage persons with any amount of alcohol in their system can be arrested.
